One of the biggest questions the Sabres faced as they headed through summer toward training camp was how they were going to address the lack of scoring depth on the left wing. General manager Jason Botterill knew it as well and acquired Carolina Hurricanes center/left wing Jeff Skinner for prospect winger Cliff Pu, a second-round pick in 2019, and third- and sixth-round picks in 2020.

Skinner waived his no-trade clause to join Buffalo and he’s headed into the final year of his contract with a $5.725 million cap hit. He’ll be an unrestricted free agent next summer, but he’s the proven scorer the team lacks on the left side and gives the Sabres a player who can also get it done at even-strength.

Of Skinner’s 204 career goals, 159 of them have come at even-strength. Skinner scored 89 goals the past three seasons, with 74 at evens. Two seasons ago he scored 37 goals, 30 at even-strength (second best in the NHL that year), and tied a career-high with 63...